5.05.2009

I was fortunate to receive an email from Sourcebooks asking if I could take a look at their Military Wives Cookbook,200 Years of Traditions , Recipes, and Remembrances. This treasure of American historical lore and modern vignettes is the brainchild of an accomplished Military wife herself , Carolyn Quick Tillery.She's a go getter who having a law degree and retired form the Air Force, decided she needed a 'portable career' as her husband , still in the Air Force was constantly assigned all over the world in various posts.So she combined her love of history and food , thereby forging a career. A pretty successful one at that.I admit, I know nothing about the whole military culture and lifestyle. As an account executive I had an account on a naval base and saw a glimpse. I envied those PX Stores for the great deals.What I did see was my hard working sales staff who may have had a spouse in service and was used to the ordeal of moving around , or them being way , and surviving on limited means. I saw the cadets come in every few weeks after graduation to pretty up a bit and get their cosmetics before heading off to some new assignment. For many it was there first time away from home perhaps. I admit I am pretty privileged and spoiled at times, but I can recognize the great sacrifice those that serve and their families make for our country. It takes a strong woman, or man to support that spouse in service. Lets honor them on Friday May 8th , which happens to be Military Spouse Day.Our current First Lady of the United States, Michele Obamahas vowed to focus on aiding Military families.Military Wives Cookbook is chock full of recipes from today to 200 years ago. I was expecting Americana type of recipes, which there were plenty, but also got some international ones , reflective of the wives travels all over the world. The author assembles the recipes into menus with themes. For example a Colonial Thanksgiving or Christmas in the Confederate White House. The cookbook is divided into 6 sections:Teas and CoffeesBuffets, Brunches, and LunchesA Taste of Home: Dinner Family Style, Alfresco Dining Over There: An International Affair Home for the Holidays and Other CelebrationsIt was hard to pick a recipe to try out. But I was drawn to the Old Fashioned Banana Pudding, because it reminded me of my mother and is a tradition in the Black community and others as well . You will find this at every event or picnic this summer. A lot of people fake it with pudding mix and vanilla wafers. I like it old school.Note I was out of Vanilla wafers but had Vanilla Biscuits , that worked fine. A coworker of mine uses shortbread , which is also a great substitute. I shamefully admit I polished this off and gave a bit to a neighbor. Nothing was wasted. It was that good. I might play on this recipe with chocolate chips or banana rum one day.I will be giving away a copy of this cookbook. The drawing runs until May 12.Just leave a comment! And be sure to check out Month Of Edible Celebrations posts on this great book and her giveaway as well.

Old Fashioned Banana Puddingadapted from Military Wives Cookbook 200 Year of Traditions, Recipes, and Remembrances6 servings2/3 cup Sugar1/2 cup all purpose flour2 cups half and half( I used heavy cream and milk combined)1/2 tsp salt3 egg yolks2 tbsp butter2 tbsp vanilla extract1 12 oz box vanilla wafers2 cups bananas (ripe)Preheat oven to 350 F.In a double boiler over boiling water, combine sugar, salt, and flour.Add half and half and stir constantly until mixture thickens.Remove from heat.Place egg yolks in separate bowl. Gradually while stirring constantly( I use a stand mixer for this to free up hands) add some of the hot cream mixture to the egg yolks to temper. Then add the egg mixture back to the cream in the pot.Cook to a simmer and thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and vanilla. Cool for a bit while you assemble the pudding.In a baking glass dish, layer vanilla wafers first, the sliced banana, then pudding, Continue layering of wafers, bananas, pudding, ending with pudding on top. Set aside.Make Meringue topping.2 egg whites1/4 tsp cream of tarter1/2 tsp vanilla extract1/4 cup confectioners sugarIn a bowl whip egg whites, with cream of tarter with a electric mixer or use your stand mixer. Whip until they hold stiff peaks.Fold in vanilla extract and confectioners sugar.Spread atop the pudding and bake for 10 -15 minutes until golden.

What a GREAT prospective you've written Courtney. I know what you mean trying to pick a recipe it was so difficult. There's so many recipes worth revisiting. The Old Fashioned Banana Pudding is a perfect example. It looks so yummy!!!

Thanks for mentioning my post. How Sweet. Boy we sure do have lucky visitors getting free copies of this book, it's a gem:)

Hi Courtney, Thanks for the link to my Give-Away. I added your scrumptious Banana Pudding recipe as a suggested dessert for the post I did for the Santa Maria Style Barbecue recipe. Don't you just LOVE this cookbook??? What FUN!!! (Please don't include any of my comments in your give-away, I already have the book:)

Wow, I discovered just in time that tomorrow it's sort of my day, too (military wife, but not American, would I be in?)I'll make sure to celebrate it with this pudding, any reason is good to celebrate!

As somebody who really dislikes bananas, I guess this is not my ideal dessert... but even I can see the comfort food angle. And OMG look at your picture-perfect meringue toping!! Thanks so much for participating :)

Coming to think of it, i've never actually had a banana pudding before. How strange is that. Surly gonna bookmark his n try it out :)P.S Just read about your coffee grinder ... :(( well now you get to buy a brand new shiny one !

What an amazing idea for a cookbook. Growing up in an Italian household meant that there are a lot of traditional (north) American foods that I never tasted until I was older and have no idea how to make. I have always been curious about these kinds of dishes which, to me, are so exotic!

That book sounds like a winner too. I never got to experience much of the traveling when I was in the Army. Besides training at other bases, I was stationed here in Atlanta for my entire enlistment. I really wanted to go to Germany where I could get my DJ on.

I have not ever had banana pudding....I will try it soon. I would love the cookbook...I have an air force cookbook my step brother gave me many years ago....I have used that cookbook many times over the years.... Love your blog ... :)

What a beautifully written post Coco...salute! My dad was in the services & I think you've done a swell job with this post. We grew up on puddings & stuff like this, something the British left behind in India. Well done indeed...xoxo

I popped over here from the Daring Bakers forum to read your blog and discovered this marvelous post right away. As a former military brat when growing up and a military wife in later years, I absolutely remember such recipes such as the banana pudding. Thank you for sharing this book today; it reminds me of all the amazing adventures I've had in my life due to being associated with military life.

Ha! I was just talking with my sister about my mom's Banana Pudding she made when we were kids (boxed pudding and Vanilla Wafers) and I wanted to try it again but completely homemade. This recipe sounds perfect and it looks amazing! I'll let you know how it comes out!

This cookbook sounds wonderful and I'll add it to my Amazon shopping cart! (sorry I missed the Give away deadline).

This sounds a great cookbook "Military Wives” and you have really done justice in your review. I adore retro food like this and bet this Banana Pudding lived up to all the retro great standards. Gosh, I would really love to win this book.